Southern California -- this just in

Streamlined security screening coming for LAX passengers in 2012

November 9, 2011 | 1:42
pm

Airline passengers who agree to be questioned in advance will be eligible to move through security checkpoints faster under a new federal program that will be added to Los Angeles International Airport.

John S. Pistole, the head of the Transportation Security Administration, announced at a congressional hearing Wednesday that the TSA PreCheck program will be expanded to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas in December and to LAX and Minneapolis-St. Paul in early 2012. At LAX the program initially will be limited to American Airlines passengers, but is expected to be expanded to other airlines serving U.S. cities.

The PreCheck program allows travelers to be questioned and screened ahead of time by federal officials prior to domestic flights. TSA official say that passengers who successfully participate in the program will become eligible for expedited screening at the terminal.

“Because we know more about these passengers,” Pistole said, “TSA PreCheck travelers are able to divest themselves of fewer items, which may include leaving on their shoes, jackets and light outerwear as well as other modifications to the standard screening process.”

Pilot programs were started earlier this year at four airports across the country: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Dallas/Fort Worth International and Miami International.